- Building smart border gates plays a very important role and significance in the current context of economic integration, trade and digital transformation. Could you please tell us more about this content? + Building smart border gates is an inevitable trend of ports and border gates in the world with the important content being to promote the application of information technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in carrying out customs clearance procedures, providing logistics services, import and export, and inspection and testing of goods at ports and border gates. In Vietnam, the Prime Minister directed the construction of a smart border gate in Lang Son at a working session with Lang Son province in October 2024 and directed the expansion and replication to other pairs of border gates, including the Mong Cai (Vietnam) - Dongxing (China) border gate pair. Building smart border gates is in line with the national digital transformation trend. This is part of the roadmap to build a digital government, digital economy and digital society. Contributing to reforming administrative procedures and building a transparent business environment. Enhancing the effectiveness of state management to help agencies such as customs, border guards, quarantine... coordinate more effectively through an interconnected data system. Minimizing paperwork, improving transparency and accuracy in information processing. Promoting trade and logistics, shortening customs clearance time, reducing transportation and inventory costs. Increasing competitiveness for import-export enterprises and the local economy. National security and safety when applying information technology, artificial intelligence... helps to strictly control people and goods crossing the border. Effectively prevent smuggling, trade fraud, and transportation of prohibited goods. In particular, building smart border gates contributes to modernizing border infrastructure by combining digital technology and infrastructure planning; at the same time, promoting investment attraction and creating momentum for border development.

- How has the province implemented the construction of a smart border gate in Mong Cai, sir?

+ Implementing the Prime Minister's direction on building smart border gates, Quang Ninh province has synchronously deployed tasks, including organizing surveys and learning experiences in building pilot projects for smart border gates in Lang Son and Lao Cai provinces. On April 12, 2025, the Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee (Vietnam) and the Secretary of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Party Committee (China) signed framework agreements and action plans, including the pilot implementation of building smart border gates Mong Cai (Vietnam) - Dongxing (China).

Accordingly, the two sides agreed to jointly implement "Synchronous planning, synchronous construction, synchronous operation" to promote the construction of smart border gates for the flow for tourists at Mong Cai International Border Gate (Vietnam) - Dongxing (China) in the Bac Luan I bridge area and the flow for transportation and goods transportation at Mong Cai International Border Gate (Vietnam) - Dongxing (China) in the Bac Luan II bridge area, comprehensively improving the efficiency and customs clearance performance of smart border gates.

The two sides will use advanced facilities, equipment and new generation digital technology, apply breakthrough advances in artificial intelligence, build smart passenger transport channels, smart cargo transport channels and digital operation management systems. At the same time, upgrade and synchronously renovate existing cargo transport channels, means of transport and people entering and leaving the border into smart customs clearance channels; build a new specialized cargo transport channel using AGV (automatic cargo transport vehicle) across the border, and carry out smart customs clearance 24/7 at the border gate.

Jointly study the criteria for selecting locations and building specialized cargo transportation channels using unmanned automatic cargo vehicles, select technical specifications and coordination methods for unmanned specialized cargo vehicles across the border. Study and implement a model for information sharing and seamless data exchange between competent authorities at the border gates of both sides (the focal point is the Customs Sub-Department of Region VIII (Vietnam) and Nanning Customs (China) and the competent authorities of each side), ensuring information security and safety, in accordance with bilateral agreements and legal regulations of each side.

The two sides also agreed on a 2-year construction period. Of which, the modern, smart passenger transport channel will be completed and put into operation by 2025; the upgraded, renovated and completed construction of the cargo transport channel using specialized, automatic, unmanned trucks across the border by 2026.

Agree to establish a Working Group to promote the implementation of the Framework Agreement chaired by 1 Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee and 1 Vice Chairman of the People's Government of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Quang Ninh assigned the Mong Cai City People's Committee and Guangxi assigned the Dongxing City People's Government to be the focal points for exchange, the provincial border gate management agencies of both sides will be responsible for general coordination, with the participation of all relevant departments, branches, agencies and units to study and negotiate key issues, through flexible forms (special conferences, surveys, joint research...).

The border management agencies of both sides proactively connect, establish an exchange mechanism, take turns organizing meetings, reporting progress, agreeing to resolve important issues, and proposing content to promote cooperation (according to actual needs). Both sides are interested in and direct Mong Cai City (Vietnam) and Dongxing City (China) to develop a mechanism to implement work at the local level.

Previously, on March 11, Mong Cai City (Vietnam) and Dongxing City (China) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation mechanism in researching and building smart border gates, creating a premise to promote the implementation of the Mong Cai (Vietnam) - Dongxing (China) international border gate pair to become a modern and advanced model.

- Can you tell us the progress of the smart border gate construction up to this point?

+ The Provincial People's Committee has issued Decision No. 970/QD-UBND to establish a Steering Committee for the construction of a smart border gate in Mong Cai City, headed by the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. The Steering Committee for the construction of a smart border gate in Mong Cai City is responsible for leading, directing comprehensively, and unifying the contents under the authority of the provincial level to deploy the construction of a smart border gate in Mong Cai City. Directing the timely resolution of recommendations, proposals, and problems arising in the process of implementing the task of constructing a smart border gate in Mong Cai City; urging, inspecting, and supervising sectors, localities, and units on the progress of implementing assigned tasks.

At the same time, coordinate with central ministries and branches to direct the implementation of tasks; report and propose to the Government, the Prime Minister, and central agencies to remove difficulties and obstacles in the implementation process. Mong Cai City People's Committee is the Standing Agency of the Steering Committee.

Currently, the construction of the smart border gate Mong Cai (Vietnam) - Dongxing (China) is in the preparation and detailed design stage, with close cooperation between the two sides to ensure progress and effective implementation. Up to now, the progress of the smart border gate construction is being actively implemented by both sides in the direction of modernization, in order to facilitate the import and export of goods and the circulation of passengers.

Mong Cai City (Vietnam) has completed many infrastructure items at Bac Luan I and Bac Luan II border gates and is testing a number of technology applications such as automatic control, QR code scanning system, facial recognition for passersby; promoting digitalization of customs procedures, connecting data systems for quick communication between management agencies.

Dongxing City (China) has basically completed the main items in the smart border gate project, including automatic control lanes for people and vehicles, an AI system to recognize license plates and faces; and put into trial the "one-stop-one-stop" model at Dongxing border gate to reduce customs clearance time.

The two sides are in the stage of technical connection and process synchronization to put into trial operation in the second half of 2025 and will officially operate the bilateral smart border gate model with features such as: Smart security control, electronic procedure processing, integrated traffic monitoring system.

It is expected that on April 29, Mong Cai City and Dongxing City will continue to survey the infrastructure of the border gate area, hold talks and have a preliminary report to deploy the smart border gate. The two sides have completed the project outline, consulted with departments and branches and are completing the first draft to consult with central ministries and branches to deploy the construction of the smart border gate. The construction of the smart border gate Mong Cai (Vietnam) - Dongxing (China) is not only to improve customs clearance efficiency, but also to contribute to promoting economic development and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Thank you!

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/day-nhanh-tien-do-xay-dung-cua-khau-thong-minh-3355340.html